Soft Fruit Pest & Diseases

Growing fruit is an enjoyable and rewarding past time, however even the most avid and vigilant of gardeners may occasionally encounter a problem. To help you tackle any challenges posed by mother nature we have put together a range of fact sheets that will assist you in the fruit garden with pest and disease management.

The following tables have been designed to aid diagnosis and treatment of common fruiting problems. We intend to update it as more information becomes available.

In the U.K. blueberry plants are largely trouble free and can be grown organically very successfully. In the USA various grubs attack the fruits but in the U.K. the most troublesome pests are birds. They usually wait until the fruits start to change colour and then remove the fruits before they have had a chance to ripen. The most serious diseases are Blueberry Stem Blight and Blueberry Root Rot.

USING CHEMICALS SAFELY – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL

When using chemicals it is most important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Only use on the fruits that are listed on the manufacturer’s label. An accurate weighing machine and measuring cylinder should be obtained. Chemicals can be wasted by making concentrations unnecessarily strong or by making them too weak and ineffective. Furthermore, if chemicals are too strong they may cause damage to the foliage.

Only spray in the early morning or evening when the weather is dry and calm. Avoid spraying when fruit canes and bushes are in flower, to reduce the risk of killing helpful pollinating insects such as bees.